INDICATORS OF STRESS

Physical Symptoms:

• The "Upsets"
• Stomach ache, headache, dizzy, eye strain
• Having Sleep Problems (too little or too much)

Feelings:

• Being Afraid (to make decisions)
• Feeling Anxious (tense, nervous, jumpy, unable to relax)
• Feeling Hostile (angry at minor things)

Actions:

• Exaggerating Normal Behaviors (e.g. hard workers turn into workaholics; quit people turn into loaners)
• Withdrawing (from friends, family, and co-workers)
• Working Harder (but getting less done)
• Scapegoating (blaming others, finding fault, being critical or hard to please)
• Having Fewer Stress-Free Conversations (with family and friends)
• Having Fights (about everything and nothing)
• Sharing Fewer Satisfactions (with family and friends)
• Having Other Family Members with Stress Problems (Stress is contagious.)
• Pretending that nothing is wrong

Thoughts:

• This is horrible/unbearable. I'm not good enough.
• I'm going to flunk out of school. I'm going to go crazy.